2 Join, 5 Promoted At City Fire Department

June 11, 1985|by PHIL BOYLE, The Morning Call

Five Bethlehem firefighters were promoted and two new firefighters were sworn in during ceremonies yesterday in Town Hall conducted by Bethlehem Mayor Paul Marcincin and Fire Commissioner Francis "Sam" LaBuda.

Capt. Eugene Novak and Capt. Raymond Chernaskey were promoted to the rank of assistant chief; Lt. Edgar Guth and Lt. Joseph Burghardt were promoted to the rank of captain, and firefighter Kevin Moyzan was named a lieutenant.

John E. Stefancin, a Hellertown native, and Anthony L. Facchiano of Bethlehem were sworn in as new firefighters by Marcincin.

LaBuda said the two new appointments brings the strength of the department to 105, 11 short of its top strength several years ago.

He congratulated the five veterans on their promotions and asked that they continue to exert their energy and knowledge for the fire department. He told the new recruits that "you and only you can control your destiny in the fire department."

Novak, 43, is a 21-year veteran of the department. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1976 and to captain in 1980. He is a member of the 3rd Platoon and worked out of the Schweder Fire Station. He also filled in at the Memorial Station.

He and his wife Kathleen are the parents of two daughters, Eugenia and Nicole.

Chernaskey, 53, first served with the department 1961-67, then left to go into private business. He rejoined the department in 1969, was promoted to lieutenant in 1974 and was made a captain in 1979. He serves on the 2nd Platoon out of the Memorial Station.

Chernaskey and his wife Mary are the parents of five children, Raymond, Pamela, Dennis, Catherine and Joseph.

Guth, 49, joined the department in 1964 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1979. He is assigned to the 4th Platoon, working out of Memorial Station. He and his wife Shirley are the parents of two children, Diane and Glenn.

Burghardt, 46, started his career with the department in 1964 and was made lieutenant in 1980. He serves with the 2nd Platoon out of the Dewberry Avenue Station. He is the father of two children, Joseph and Allan.

Moyzan, 34, became a firefighter in 1975 and was assigned to the 3rd Platoon. A year later, he was transferred to the 1st Platoon and for the past nine years has been assigned to the Dewberry Avenue Station. He and his wife Donna are the parents of three children, Tanya, Amy and Kevin.

Stefancin, 35, graduated from Saucon Valley High School in 1967 and served four years in the Navy. He graduated from East Stroudsburg University, where he majored in health and physical education.

Stefancin was a teacher at the Hunterdon State School in New Jersey. He and his wife Susan are the parents of two children, Timmery and Jonathan.

Facchiano, 25, graduated from Liberty High School in 1977 and received an associate's degree in electronic technology from Northampton County Area Community College.

He was employed by ASW Environmental Consultants of Allentown and has served as a volunteer firefighter for the Bethlehem Township and Nancy Run fire companies. He is married to the former Suzanne Hawk of Milford, N.J.